HOME & FAMILY

Defeat the Door

There are several ways to force open a locked door. Each method causes different levels of damage — some of which can be expensive to repair and may leave you without a way to secure the door until those repairs are made.

Damage to the lock, door and frame makes brute force a last resort — but in a true emergency it may be necessary.

Don't be an easy target: replace strike plate screws with 2 to 3" long screws, install a security strike plate, and consider a security screen door.
- Grandpa TJ -

How-to videos

Pry the trim to reach the latch

This method uses a prying attack on the wooden door trim to open a straight path to the door latch. In this case, the latch can be pushed back into the door. If it has a deadlock plunger, that may not be possible. As shown in the video, only minor repairs are needed after the door has been opened.

Thanks to TheMeadowshandytips for the YouTube video.

Watch on YouTube

Prying or kicking the door open

If the doorjamb is metal or the latch has a properly operating deadlock, you will have to pry or kick the door open. A tapered crowbar or heavy screwdriver driven between door and frame (just above or below the latch) and twisted creates a widening gap until the door pops open. This often damages the frame and may leave the door unable to lock — or even close properly — until repaired.

Thanks to Inside Edition for the YouTube video.

Watch on YouTube

Stop someone else from kicking in your door

Kick-ins are noisy but common for daylight burglaries. The video shows how easy it can be — and how to defend against brute-force attacks. Simple upgrades include longer strikeplate screws, a security strikeplate set, and a security screen door.

Thanks to Inside Edition for the YouTube video.

Watch on YouTube

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